The Estero River: Halfway Wild Turkey “A Vestige Sanctuary in the Sea of Urbanization” Pond Strand Preserve Quote from Nora Egan Demers, Ph.D. The importance of Estero River for the Imperial Marsh people and its wildlife. Preserve To Estero River Photo: Florida State Parks Photo: Florida State Parks
Estero Bay Watershed I-75 Estero Bay Watershed : North branch 360 square miles Corkscrew Road Estero River Basin : 66 square miles (45,000 acres) South branch Estero River: Approximately 8 miles long Mean depth of 3.99 feet and a max depth of US 41 12.06 feet (USF, 2013)
Pre-Development Conditions 1953 1944 1998 “South Lee County Regional Flowway outfalls will never be equal to the historic combination of channel and sheetflow that occurred prior to the construction of the series of manmade, north-south elevated berms and structures”. “These structures tend to impound waters from the East”. – South Lee County Watershed Plan, 1999 Photos courtesy: Lee County Natural Resources
Reasons for Halfway protecting and Wild Turkey Pond Strand Preserve providing access to the Estero River: Imperial Marsh Preserve 1. Historical/ Cultural 2. Economic 3. Social / Recreational 4. Environment
Historical / Cultural Sanatorium on Estero River with the boat To Estero River called "The Star". Circa 1900 Photos: Estero Historical Society and FGCU Digital Repository / Koreshan Historical Collection
Tourism: Economic Real Estate Values: • Parks and greenspace positively affect real estate values and attracts buyers • • Tourists visit Lee County for a Water quality clean unspoiled environment. affects property • 5 million tourists / $2.87 billion values • Wildlife viewing 2 nd most popular outdoor activity - FWC Village benefits: Jobs: • Greenspace increase municipal revenues • Attracts knowledgeable and talented workers • Attracts and retains affluent retirees Photo: USAToday.com Photo: USAToday.com Tourism in the Estero Bay Watershed Photo: Estero-FL.gov generates 18,974 jobs (References: National Park Service, Economic Impacts of Protecting Rivers, Trails, and Greenway Corridors,1999 ; Florida Association of Realtors ( 2015) The Impact on Water Quality on Florida’s Home Values ; Weisskoff; (2011) An Economic Look at Lee County and Estero Bay Basin Conservation Lands: Acreage, Jobs, Value; American Planning Association. (2002). How Cities Use Parks for Economic Development ).
Social / Recreational Provides residents with a place of peace and tranquility. Provide residents with numerous recreational opportunities including: kayaking, canoeing, hiking, fishing, and picnicking. Estero River and its banks are aesthetically pleasing. River and its banks offer Estero residents some of the Village’s last remaining greenspace Photo: Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Potential network of Halfway walking, biking, and Wild Turkey Pond Strand kayaking trails: Preserve 1. Koreshan State Historic Site 2. Connection to Village Center for walking / biking Imperial Marsh 3. Estero Community Park Preserve 4. Estero Bay Preserve State Park (Estero River Scrub Trail and Winkler Point Trail) 5. Proposed Bonita Springs-Estero bike-ped trail (CSX right-of-way) 6. Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve 7. Great Calusa Blueway Trail (190 mile kayak trail though marked inland and coastal waterways) 8. Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail 9. Estero River Paddling Trail 10. Lovers Key State Park 11. Mound Key Archeological State Park Estero Bay Preserve State Park
Environmental Wild Turkey Strand What is a Preserve riparian Buffer? The vegetated Riparian buffer area along a waterbody Imperial Marsh Preserve which provides shade, plays a key role in increasing water quality, To Estero River and provides habitat for aquatic and terrestrial species. Current code – 50’ buffer Source: EPA, 2005
Benefits of Estero River Buffer: 1. Prevents erosion 2. Improves water quality 3. Reduces storm-water runoff 4. Provides shade 5. Provides protection from storms 6. Provides habitat for birds and mammals 7. Minimize flood damage 8. Provides clean fresh water to Estero Bay (vital for estuarine species)
Water Quality (Dissolved Oxygen) Human causes of water quality impairments: • Stormwater run-off • Fertilizers (yards, golf courses, ag fields) • Leaky septic tanks and sewer lines • Oil and grease from cars • Chemicals • Detergents • Lawn / yard waste • Sediment (erosion/ development sites) • Pesticides • Reduced vegetation along river • Increased pavement & impermeable surfaces • Illegal dumping/ household waste • Livestock waste • Mining waste • Industrial waste • Burning fossil fuel (acid rain) Source: Estero Bay Agency on Bay Management, State of the Bay Update 2014
1. Implement policies which include Conservancy Recommendations the Estero River within a Green Network for the Village of Estero 2. Purchase conservation land adjacent to river and offer incentives to increase buffer width 3. Apply results of FGCU infrastructure study for trail feasibility study. 4. Adopt Ordinances and Land Development Codes that better protect the Estero River and its watershed (wider buffer, heritage tree protection, L.I.D) 5. Offer incentives to landowners and developers 6. Establish regular maintenance and clean-up of river 7. Advocate for restoration and protection of lands in the DRGR
Where to begin . . . . Landowners / Developers Halfway Wild Turkey • Work with Pond Strand community Preserve • Be open to Planners (Spikowski & Harry) incentives • Proposed community plan • Village Center (mixed-use / walkable / bikeable / Green Network) Village Council / Staff • Comp plan update within 3 years • Listen to constituents Community Groups - • Provide support (ECCL) / Citizens and expertise • Divide tasks • Fundraise • Provide support and expertise
Support a Green Network What you can do . . . with walkable, bikeable, and connected street patterns Halfway Wild Turkey (rather than development Pond Strand plans restrict public access) Preserve Raise money for land acquisition (ideas in report). Imperial Marsh Offer support at Village Preserve Council meetings for Land Development Code and Comp plan amendments that protect the Estero River and To Estero River provide connectivity. Advocate for restoration and protection of lands in the DRGR. Volunteer time with groups involved
Success Stories Cullum’s Trail, Bonita Springs Halfway Wild Turkey Pond Strand Preserve Imperial Marsh Gordon River Greenway, Preserve Naples Opening Day of Legacy Trail, To Estero River Sarasota County Photo: NaplesDailyNews.com Photo: Friends of Sarasota County Park
Estero: “Village with a Vision” Halfway Pond Imperial Marsh Preserve Photo: Naples Daily News To Estero River What is your vision? Photo: Floridahikes.com Photo: Florida DEP
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